This blog was started on the 1st of May 2007 and aims to provide information about the birds of Islay.

Monday, 1 October 2012

Monday 1st October

Tom and Jo headed back to the mainland yesterday on the ferry. Before they left, up at Bridgend they had a sighting of a Turtle Dove. Down at Port Ellen, 21 Whooper Swans were flying South, from the ferry they had good views of a Sooty Shearwater flying alongside. Also seen off the ferry were plenty of Tysties, Razorbills, Guillemots and Kittiwakes. They also had a light phase Arctic Skua. Over their stay they had seen 103 species during their stay. James today had a Peregrine on the salt marsh at Gruinart, Bob had one at his home, along with 35 Lapwing. Bob has seen the continued passage of Skylarks still moving through over the past few days, his biggest flock was a count of 70 birds. Bob also counted 25 Palebellied Brent Geese at Gartmain. Rockside had 23 Whoopers and of 6 were still at Coull, coming up through the dunes at lunchtime, there was mixed flock of over 40 Twite and 6 Goldfinches.